India and Russia took forward a project to jointly manufacture military choppers under the 'Make in India' initiative even as other plans, including one to construct frigates, took a backseat during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Moscow.
Among the 16 agreements inked during the visit, the only one on defence cooperation - a significant facet of the bilateral relation - referred to plans to manufacture 200 of the KA 226 light choppers for the Indian armed forces. State owned HAL is believed to have pipped a proposal by the Anil Ambani owned Reliance Defence as the main partner for the contract that is expected to cost over $ 1 billion.
Contrary to projections, no deal was signed between the two countries for the production of advanced Krivak class frigates in India. Also, the joint agreements did not include a formal deal for the S 400 air defence systems, even though talks on its procurement progressed during the visit.
On the defence front, the highlight was an agreement to manufacture Kamov choppers in India that are needed by the army and air force to operate in border areas. "The agreement on manufacture of Kamov 226 helicopter in India is the first project for a major defence platform under the Make In India mission," MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup quoted PM Modi as saying.
India and Russia have been negotiating for months for the deal to manufacture Ka 226 choppers. Sources told ET that HAL will be a primary partner for the choppers that are desperately needed by Indian Army to operate in mountainous regions. Commercial aspects of the deal are to be worked out, with sources telling ET that Reliance Defence had been edged out of the contract.
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